Thermal Inkjet printers (TIJ printers) are non-contact printing methods that use heat to eject ink droplets from a cartridge onto a substrate. Each cartridge contains an integrated printhead, delivering high-resolution, maintenance-friendly printing for industrial coding applications.
Because the printhead is integrated into each cartridge, every replacement effectively installs a new printhead. This reduces downtime and eliminates common wear issues found in other coding technologies. Example: Molls Bacon, a vacuum and MAP packed meat producer, reported zero replacement parts required beyond the ink cartridge after switching to Markoprint TIJ.
At AT Information Products, we deliver advanced thermal inkjet printers through the Markoprint product line, offering flexible, scalable solutions across a wide range of applications and substrates. HP Inc. has trusted ATIP’s Markoprint systems across five countries for over 20 years — a track record built on consistent uptime, print quality, and ease of integration.
TIJ is the ideal coding solution for companies that need:
AT Information Products offers two advanced TIJ platforms through Markoprint to meet different production needs:
Featured in the X1Jet LX Ultra, this platform expands traditional thermal inkjet printing capabilities:
Used in systems like the IP Jet, X1Jet Pro Handhold, X1Jet MK3, X1Jet Stitch this technology delivers up to 600 dpi at speeds up to 90 meters per minute — the same platform HP relies on in its own package completion centers across five countries for 24/7 direct coding onto corrugated boxes and chipboard cartons. It is ideal for:
Markoprint thermal inkjet printers are used across a wide range of industries for product coding and marking applications. These systems excel at producing high-resolution barcodes, expiration dates, lot and batch codes, as well as logos and promotional graphics directly onto packaging, labels, and products.
With support for both HP-based TIJ and LX technology, Markoprint solutions offer the flexibility to print on a variety of substrates — including corrugated cases, folding cartons, labels, films, foils, and plastics. This versatility makes them well-suited for industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, cannabis, and electronics.
Food producers like Tessemae’s All Natural rely on Markoprint TIJ to code Best By dates onto both high-gloss bottle labels and flexible PET/EVOH sachet rollstock — achieving 300 dpi barcode-quality output on both porous and non-porous substrates across two separate packaging lines from the same platform.
Supported substrates include: bags & pouches, bottles, cartons & boxes, tyvek, flexible film, glass, labels, metal & aluminum, outer cases, rigid plastic, cards & sleeves, stick packs & sachets, and wood & lumber.
AT Information Products has been a trusted partner to manufacturers across the United States for over 40 years. From small production lines to large-scale industrial operations, we’ve helped businesses across dozens of industries print smarter, reduce downtime, and stay compliant — backed by expert consultation, installation, and ongoing support.
Not sure what your production line needs? Our engineering team is here to help you choose the right thermal inkjet solution for your specific application.
Eliminate the risk of non-compliant codes by testing on your own packaging. With AT Information Products’ Make Your Mark program, you can experience MARKOPRINT® inkjet printing on your actual substrates before making an investment. Easily evaluate variable data such as date codes, lot numbers, graphics, and barcodes.
Simply send us your materials, and we will handle the rest. We will produce print samples, test performance, and provide a detailed cost-per-print analysis so you can make a confident, informed decision.
A: A thermal inkjet (TIJ) printer is a non-contact coding and marking technology that uses heat to eject ink droplets from a cartridge onto a substrate. Tiny resistors inside the printhead create a vapor bubble that drives ink out of the nozzle and onto the surface — without the printhead ever touching the material. Because the printhead is integrated directly into each ink cartridge, every cartridge replacement effectively installs a brand new printhead. AT Information Products has delivered TIJ-based coding systems through the Markoprint product line for over 40 years, making it one of the most experienced TIJ specialists in the United States — capable of printing barcodes, QR codes, expiration dates, lot codes, and logos at resolutions up to 600 dpi.
A: The core difference is how each technology manages ink. CIJ uses a pressurized system that continuously circulates ink whether it is actively printing or not, meaning solvent-based ink is constantly evaporating and requiring make-up fluid to compensate — with industry estimates putting spare parts, consumables, and maintenance at 15–20% of total CIJ operating costs. AT Information Products’ Markoprint TIJ systems, by contrast, only eject ink when printing, using a sealed cartridge that eliminates evaporation, waste, and make-up fluids entirely. When CIJ systems go down, an onsite technician is typically needed and scheduled maintenance can keep a production line down for days. A Markoprint TIJ cartridge swap takes seconds with no technician required.
A: TIJ is an excellent fit for a wide range of coding applications, but it does have limitations worth considering. It is optimized for low-to-mid speed production lines — extremely high-speed operations may require a different technology. TIJ printheads also have a defined print height, which makes very long single-pass print lengths on flexible films a constraint. Additionally, TIJ deposits ink onto the surface of a substrate and is not designed for deep marking or permanent engraving into materials. AT Information Products’ engineering team can help evaluate whether TIJ is the right fit for your specific application — or recommend an alternative if it is not.
A: Real-world results vary by application, but the savings are well documented. Tessemae’s All Natural realized a 60% reduction in coding costs after switching from thermal transfer overcoat (TTO) to AT Information Products’ Markoprint TIJ on their bottle label and sachet lines. Molls Bacon found their Markoprint solution cost one-third less upfront than the TTO systems typically specified for thermoformer applications, with zero ongoing ribbon or servicing costs. For CIJ users, industry data estimates that 15–20% of total CIJ operating costs come from spare parts, consumables, and maintenance — costs that are largely eliminated with AT Information Products’ TIJ systems from day one.
A: Very little. Since the printhead is built into the cartridge, replacing a cartridge effectively renews the entire print system. AT Information Products’ Markoprint coders have no replacement parts beyond the ink cartridge — no pumps, no filters, no ribbons, and no make-up fluids. Molls Bacon reported zero servicing required after switching to the Markoprint X1Jet on their five-head thermoformer installation. Tessemae’s All Natural noted that cartridge cleaning requires nothing more than a wipe with a soft, fiber-free cloth — no solvent additives needed.
Visit AT Information Products at Booth S-3014 to see our industrial coding and marking solutions in action
